Class 1A final: St. Thomas 5, Duluth Marshall 1

Christian Isackson and James Saintey each scored twice and Kurt Altrichter made 13 saves to boost St. Thomas Academy to a 5-1 win over Duluth Marshall in the Class 1A boys state hockey tournament championship on Saturday, the Cadets' second title in three years.

It was another disappointing championship game for the Hilltoppers, who've now lost in the small-school boy's hockey final three years in a row.

The top-seeded Cadets (26-5) avenged last year's double-overtime loss to Marshall in the state semifinals, and an 8-2 regular season thrashing at the hands of the Hilltoppers eight weeks ago in Mendota Heights.

St. Thomas Academy scored right after the opening faceoff and just before the first period ended to take control of the game at the Xcel Energy Center. Isackson barreled down the left wing and backhanded the puck toward the net, and it trickled between Marshall goaltender Willie Paul's legs just 37 seconds into the game.

It was the second consecutive quick start for St. Thomas Academy, which scored just 16 seconds into its semifinal game on the way to an 9-2 victory over St. Cloud Cathedral.

The lead was extended 39 seconds before the first period ended when Saintey pounced on a loose puck in the high slot and beat Paul on his stick side.

The Cadets made it 3-0 when Ryan Walters, a sophomore who's made a verbal commitment to Minnesota, blasted in his sixth goal of the state tournament from the right circle, sending Paul to the bench. Paul had allowed just one goal in each of the Hilltoppers' first two wins in the state tournament, and made 33 saves in Friday's 3-1 semifinal win over Warroad.

Marshall (25-6) scored its only goal in the second period when Pat Mahoney got behind the Cadets defense and beat Altrichter through the five hole. Isackson and Saintey each picked up their second goal of the afternoon in the game's final six minutes.

The Hilltoppers, who came into the state tournament as the No. 2 seed, lost in the finals two years ago to St. Thomas Academy and last year to Hermantown.